Shoot Pool for Wellwood

     For our Organizational Application class we were split up into groups where each were assigned to put together a fundraiser. My group consisting of Emily, Blythe, Erin, Ashton, and myself, chose to create a pool tournament for Wellwood.

     For those who are not aware, Wellwood is an incredible non profit organization that creates a community environment for those living with cancer. Their motto is to help those "live well with cancer". Wellwood, headed by Jane George, offers a variety of support groups and activities for individuals suffering from cancer, 100% free of charge.

 

     We chose to raise money for Wellwood because we know that this is a worthy cause that hits close to home for so many people, including ourselves. It seems these days we can't turn around without hearing of another person being stricken by this disease. SO, we set out, with high hopes but no great expectations, as this was our first ever experience fundraising, to raise money for this wonderful organization.

 

     Erin very luckily stumbled upon a great pool hall in Grimsby, Ontario called Different Strokes where the owner was very generously anxious to help us students out for charity. And so, we had found our venue.

     32 awesome individuals signed up to play pool on November 2nd so that we could raise money for Wellwood. There was a charge of $20.00 to enter the tournament where that money was portioned off so that some would go directly to Wellwood, and some would go to green fees, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cash prizes.

 

     We also raised money with a 50/50 draw as well as a simple donation table for anyone who did not want to play pool but wanted to give to the cause.

     The day was amazing and we had a great turn out. Our cap for the tournament was 32 and we achieved it! Thanks to the wonderful regular pool players at Different Strokes as well as some friends our pool tournament was a success! Family and friends also came out to drink, eat, and mingle to show their support for Wellwood.

 

 

 

 

     Jane George made it out to our event and was able to hang out and talk to those supporting her organization. Her stories about some of her experiences with Wellwood had nearly made me cry in the middle of a fundraiser.

 

     This experience has taught me just how difficult it can be to run fundraising events. Communication was key and using social media was also essential. We raised awareness for our event by posting posters all over the venue. As well, we went to speak to the pool leagues at Different Strokes prior to the event in order to recruit tournament members! We used Facebook and created an event page to promote the fundraiser. Also, posting about the event all over our personal pages helped a little too :P This was my first real experience putting PR to use, or at least that I was aware of. I also learned that we had underestimated ourselves as well as the generosity of others. The winners of the pool tournament generously donated their winnings back to Wellwood.

 

     Our thoughts were that we could raise around $200, but amazingly we were able to raise over quadruple, while spending a total of under $10 for miscellaneous costs!!

 

     I am so thankful to have been able to be part of this experience and to have raised so much money for Wellwood. I hope you all had similar, wonderful, experiences with your fundraisers. Not only have I learned about the career path I am hoping to take, but about myself, and about the importance of support for non profits.

 

     Thank you to all those who helped make this experience wonderful and supported Wellwood!

     Please check out Wellwood's website if you have not already! http://www.wellwood.on.ca/